Countdown to Ramadan: 43 days!
Read & Review.
They echoed an exuberant excitement as the clock stroke twelve, shook ecstatically everyone's hands a "happy new year" and escorted their spouse to the dance floor; dancing crazily along with the New Year's song.
"Cheers," a man, who is surely gifted the nicest smile, handed over the glass containing the red liquid, "For our brand new year"
"I'm not drinking" she murmured, garishly unseated, "I want to go home"
He laughed, "Why?"
"I just want to go home!" she exclaimed, quite hysterically that made her boyfriend stopped his laugh.
"Dear me, Soraya…" he put down the wine glass, disembarked his eyes upon hers concernedly, "What's up? Don't you want a dance?"
Soraya shook her head, bitten her lower lip desperately, "I want to go home… please"
He shrugged, offered his hand to her, "Well, then… let's head home"
Why? Why is this life so meaningless? Well, I've achieved what most people being obsessed with. I've graduated doctoral degree cum laude from Harvard. I've hooked up with the dreamiest guy: dashing, rich, gentle, like a prince figure rushing out from fairy tale book. I was born in educated, high class, and extremely rich family. I've got an appealing appearance (wavy long black hair emblazoned oval-shaped and fair complexioned face, showed a mixture of mesmerizing Middle East and Europe: shimmering blue eyes, sharp nose and a Snow-White-apple-colored lips). Summary, I've got everything. Everything except… something that was supposed to fulfill my empty heart.
"Soraya"
She blinked as a glimpse of light wafted out through her eyes and grunted before finally got her consciousness. "Oh, I'm so sorry. I feel so… exhausted"
He flashed his mesmerizing smile and drew himself toward her, "But you look so beautiful to me"
She shrugged, "I don't know… I…"
"Would you mind a kiss?" he asked, still cracked his luring smile.
"No…" she answered calmly, which was surprised her because she was always being a seventeen years old girl every time he flashed her smile. "I gotta go, now"
He sighed, "Okay…"
"I'm sorry, Nathan" she gently kissed his cheek and hurriedly walked out from the car, "Bye, Nathan. I love you"
"Hey, do you want me to…"
"No, thanks a lot, Nathan. I really, really, love you!"
"Allahu akbar. Allahu akbar"
A seven years old girl stared at the titled-roof statuesquely, wriggled before she woke up and shuffled to bathroom. She washed her face then looked upon the mirror. She studied her face, which always came out with one conclusion: perfect.
"Laa ilaaha illallah huwallahu akbar"
She sighed and crawled back to her bed. Ignoring the takbir, she escorted herself back to her dreams.
Why?
She dreamed of Kabul. Dreamed about its beautiful sky echoing glory of Idul Fitri. Dreamed about her indifference of it.
How come I dreamt about that? It has been fifteen years since I left Kabul. Why… now I dreamed about it again?
She groaned, buried herself into her blanket, and tried to lead herself back to sleep.
"Allahu akbar. Allahu akbar"
She grinned. I've always ignored this, since… I don't know. So, why bother to wake up now?
"Asyhadu an la ilaaha illallahu"
Suddenly she felt a grim anxiety, made her flesh creep involuntarily. She hurriedly stood up and went to the bathroom, again, washed her face, studied it.
It's different…?
Yes, it was definitely different. It's her eyes. Instead of flickering an excitement and joy of life, they mirrored sorrowful and fear… and empty.
She washed her hands, drenched her soul with bliss.
Then her face…
Her head…
Her feet…
My, my… I can't believe I still remember how to do this. She smiled as she looked upon the mirror again, glanced at her own eyes. They were gleaming with life again.
Was it too short? I was going to make it longer but I've lost my ideas somewhere... x)
Well, I'm bad in English, so please help me to improve it. Please R&R!